It’s apple picking season! Summer seems to be coming to an end. A great way to celebrate the new season with your nieces and nephews is by going apple picking. If you can’t get to an orchard, visit your local farmer’s market and select a variety of different apples and seasonal produce.
 
By experiencing and cooking with new ingredients, and experimenting with  different flavors and textures—sweet, tart, crispy—you are not only creating great memories, but lasting healthy habits for your nieces and nephews.

Below are my favorite apple recipes. Auntie approved. Kid tested.

Apple Crumble

Ingredients
2 cups oat flour
1 pinch of sea salt
½ tsp. cinnamon
½ cup coconut oil or butter 
¼ cup maple syrup
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
5 medium apples, peeled, sliced

Directions
1. In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, cinnamon.
2. In a smaller bowl, combine oil or butter, maple syrup and vanilla.
3. Stir wet ingredients into dry.
4. Place apples in an 8×8 baking dish.
5. Crumble topping over the apples.
6. Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes on low rack.
7. When apples are soft and their juices bubble, remove cover and bake 10 more minutes to brown crispy.
8. Serve warm with a dollop of yogurt.

Cinnamon Apple Bran Muffins

Ingredients
2 cups Wheat Bran
1 - 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/4 cup milk of choice. (I like almond.)
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 tbsp. coconut oil
3/4 cup applesauce
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract (optional)
1/2 - 1 cup raisins
1 medium to large apple peeled and diced

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Combine dry ingredients, wheat bran, flour, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon.
3.In another bowl, blend applesauce, milk, maple syrup, oil, egg and vanilla.
4.Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and blend well.
5. Add in the raisins and diced apples.
6.Spoon batter into a muffin tins and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Dawn Lerman, Magnificent Mommies founder, MA, NYU LCAT, CH.H.C, AADP is a holistic health expert, certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners and is a graduate of The Institute for Integrative Nutrition.

Photo: slynndesign via photopin cc
Published: September 18, 2013